Nu Determined To Reduce Distractions

Northwestern's football players already have seen Disneyland. They have done Universal Studios, at least the Hollywood version.

And, when you have been to one amusement park . . .

Knowledgeable about the whole postseason experience by last season's miraculous Rose Bowl trip, attractions such as Disney World and Universal Studios Florida don't seem to be generating nearly as much excitement this time around. The current Wildcats seem much more concerned with playing football than with playing tourists when they fly to Orlando next week to prepare for the Florida Citrus Bowl.

"Last year we were giddy, I guess," said senior quarterback Steve Schnur. "Now we're a lot more comfortable in the role."

Admitted senior defensive tackle Matt Rice: "A year ago, we were kind of awestruck. Everybody was really proud of themselves for what we had done during the season, and expectations were low."

Indeed, USC wound up beating Northwestern 41-32.

Winning a bowl game to avenge that loss has been motivating the Wildcats all season, and it continues to be important as they prepare for Tennessee on New Year's Day.

Coach Gary Barnett remembers how new his team was to the bowl experience last season, when it made a postseason appearance for the first time since 1949. When he handed out a tough practice schedule, players expressed genuine shock.

"They didn't know you actually had two-a-day practices and hitting," Barnett recalled. "They thought you go to Disneyland, get in a few rides and play USC."

This trip, which begins when Northwestern leaves for Orlando on Christmas Day, promises to be much more businesslike. Northwestern essentially rode its Cinderella status right to Pasadena in 1995, but the team has spent this season trying to dispel notions it was a fluke.

Winning a bowl game, and acting like the experience is no big deal, represents one good way. Barnett expects older players to act more conservatively than they did in Southern California, and perhaps even to admonish younger players a bit.

"There definitely is more focus," said wide receiver Brian Musso. "Having done it before, you realize the game is by far the most fun part--but you don't realize that until you play one."

Said Barnett: "Once you've done all the other things, you realize they might not all be worth it."

The Citrus Bowl follows seven days of Orlando area events. Of course, the city also provides plenty of other distractions for a group of students who just finished final exams.

As Northwestern learned, one problem that stems from such activity can be maintaining an appreciation for the speed of a real game. The Trojans ran over the Wildcats as the Rose Bowl began, taking a 24-7 lead.

USC came out with a three-receiver set and a no-huddle offense, both surprises for Northwestern. Said Barnett: "It took us a quarter to catch up and we already were down."

Tenth-ranked Tennessee is an even quicker team, one that No. 11 Northwestern will have trouble duplicating in practice. Coaches are letting their first offense and first defense square off more than usual during workouts, just to keep everybody sharp.

Northwestern also is trying to break up its practice schedule more than last year, when the team spent two straight weeks getting ready in Los Angeles. The Wildcats, however, did not have an indoor facility back then, so there was little choice but to leave town for one long stretch.

It was then that the wide-eyed Wildcats found themselves in a sunny Wonderland. This time around, there will be more frigid air and football.

With an indoor building up and functioning, Northwestern can spend one week in Evanston and one week in Orlando.

"Being away for Christmas," said Musso, "and missing the family for so long is something I only want to do once."